IFAK setup advice & what is the best compact gauze and compression bandages?

[1168]

There are things contained within a military IFAK that aren’t necessary in a civilian one in most situations. Like a full IV kit.

Military IFAKs are not issued with and should not contain IV kits. Everything in a military IFAK should be compatible with the scope of practice of an Infantry PVT. I’m all for cops carrying the same.

[younggrasshopper]

Military IFAKs are not issued with and should not contain IV kits. Everything in a military IFAK should be compatible with the scope of practice of an Infantry PVT. I’m all for cops carrying the same.

Many other military medics I’ve talked to have told their units to add IV starters to their IFAKS so they don’t have to carry a million of them. In the general civilian scope, I was merely saying they could be omitted...

I was a 68W long before I was a cop. Sorry I didn’t say that to begin with.

[1168]

Many other military medics I’ve talked to have told their units to add IV starters to their IFAKS so they don’t have to carry a million of them. In the general civilian scope, I was merely saying they could be omitted...

I was a 68W long before I was a cop. Sorry I didn’t say that to begin with.

Fair enough. We used to do similar in units I’ve been in a while back, but its been largely DC’d to make room for other stuff. I just don’t think thats the best way to stage IV supplies, and official policies tend to agree. I suppose IV stuff wouldn’t be the worse thing to have in an IFAK, if you can fit it. Dumbest thing I’ve found in someone’s IFAK is Twizzlers, so there’s that.

[younggrasshopper]

Do you prefer skittles....? Hahaha

But generally speaking, I think the main thing civilian IFAKs should cater to is the “M” in “MARCH”

[sandsunsurf]

Here’s my favorite kit for balancing small but get you to a higher level of care if you’re in the boonies...


https://buyhandh.com/products/easy-carry-trauma-kit

[3BNRANGER]

2 staged CAT or SOFW - I would say the CAT is more widely distributed now in the MIL/LEO circles.
2 staged Israeli bandages
2 packs of staged z-folded gauze - no need for hemostatic gauze (there was a study done showing little to no benefit to traditional gauze i.e. practice proper wound packing)
14 ga 3.25 decompression needle
Hyfin
size 28 nasopharyngeal
shears

[zekus480]

A mylar blanket would be an excellent addition to your "First Responder" bag. I teach .mil medics and first responders to use the MARCH algorythm; Massive (life threatening) hemorrhage, Airway, Respirations, Circulation, Hypothermia. HYpothermia is one of the components of the lethal triad of trauma and often overlooked. The human body depends on maintaining a normal temperature of 98.6F (37C) for all the naturally occuring chemicals to work together.

A couple of sam splints would come in handy as well, you can tear different lengths of tape and make layers of tape on a sam splint to make a "tape board."

Roll kerlix is excellent for wound packing, burns, splinting, and all manner of treatments. Hemostatic gauze is cool, but it's expensive and most trauma docs I talk to emphasize that how a cavitation would is packed is more important than what you pack with. One could use strips of the patient's clothing if necessary.

I wouldnt bother with IV start kits, too many people get fixated on starting an IV that they forget to manage the life threatening injuries. Starting an IV without being a qualified health care provider may not be covered by good samaritan laws in your state. I am a state licensed and nationally certified paramedic and I wont start an IV off duty.

https://www.jems.com/2014/04/02/trau...hermia-acidos/

[Frenchman]

I just recently put a new IFAK together. Here's n'y list:
2 vented chest seals
1 Israeli
1 set of decomp needles
1 4" rolled gauze
1 Mylar blanket
1 CAT gen3
1 hemostatic gauze
1 set of shears
1 red sharpie
2 chem lights (1 red, 1 white)
2 pairs of nitrile gloves
1 roll of paper tape
1 nasopharyngeal (packed with a little tube of lube)
I would like to carry a SWAT TQ with that (as an option as TQ or pressure dressing), but I'm out of room.

I am part of a tight knit group of friends who happen to enjoy firearms and related things. We have a combat medic as well as an NP who specialized in trauma care, and who rode on an EMT truck in BAD neighborhoods for years. Every now and then, they set up a class for the rest of us, so we all get a little more advanced knowledge. I gotta say, if you think that you had enough training after 8 hours, you're dead nuts wrong.
And keep in mind, there's more to life than penetrating trauma/GSWs. There's injuries to the eyes, the bones, burns, toxic stuff, and the list goes on. Even basic CPR is often overlooked because some people can't fathom any injuries that aren't shot related.

[yellowfin]

Currently mine in my range bag contains:

Israeli bandage x2
Hyfin x2
hemostatic gauze
various bandaids, butterflies, and minor cut related stuff
tweezers, hemostats, and shears
bug bite relief stuff
alcohol wipes

Looks like I'll be making some additions.

[chuckman]

Currently mine in my range bag contains:

Israeli bandage x2
Hyfin x2
hemostatic gauze
various bandaids, butterflies, and minor cut related stuff
tweezers, hemostats, and shears
bug bite relief stuff
alcohol wipes

Looks like I'll be making some additions.

A range kit needs to be more than an IFAK. An IFAK by definition is trauma-specific, and for use on you. Have one, sure, but also have a general first aid kit.